The Huntsman Remembers The Bitter Morning Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

the queen surveyed her mirrors and the mirrors froze;
whole kingdoms likewise under the burden
of their pink spring.

the peach skies fell apart
forgetting all their clouds.
like silver coins the rains came

raining down, ice bound.
ice bound we all were then,
the huntsman said.

bring me her heart
thundered the command.
I could not understand and

asked her on my knees
oh please your majesty, repeat...
I had many children then;

what could I do
but string my bow and seek her everywhere,
small princess of deep snows and fair.

but something happened in the woods:
the birds turned all to flame, the small creeks grew;
the roses, brambled, turned against my rest

their crimsoned scent and everywhere I went
the earth cried out.
and then I saw her standing in a grove

surrounded by such light as took the breath
from stars in winter's glaze enshrined.
I went the other way.

and slew the first wild beast and took its heart away.
her heart survived.
that's all I have to say.

mary angela douglas 9 october 2014